"Eliminating Waste Oratory," New York Times, August 31, 1928, p. 18, ed.

"Prevalence of the radio probably had most to do with the decisj.on of the two Presidential candidate to make but few speeches. On the issues as they are now presented there are only a certain number of things to be said. When Mr. Hoover or Governor Smith says -- in the East, for instance -- this certain number of things, a farmer im California at his radio listen to them, once. He may even listen twice when the candidates repeat them in a town near his own home. But he will not listen to them the thirty or fifty times they would have come through his loud- speaker in 1916, had there been a loud-speaker in 1916.

"Also the candidates are accompanied by correspondents with more newspaper clients than ever before in America's history. These newspapers and their readers weary of the same speech over and over again. If a candidate addressed many audiences, the reports would soon consist of only such paragraphs as might be added or interpolated. The 'canned' part of the oration would not bear constant repetition "It may be that the candidates will find something new to discuss as the campaign develops. Sometimes the public will be eager to hear Smith's answer at Louisville to what Hoover said in New York, or the other way round. But the prepared speech with which each candidate takes the stump will not bear too many deliveries. Both men are recognizing this early. Mr. Hoover is committed to very few speeches, Smith necessarily to more, for he is the aggressor, and his managers feel that the oftener he shows his glamorous personality the more votes he will get. But both the candidates have made economical oratorical plans, and wisely."